Honestly, I didn’t plan my first visit to Batanes well. I purchased my round trip airfare in September 2014 and immediately read blogs. But since I was preoccupied planning for my Indochina trip, I wasn’t able to reread blogs. So budget and itinerary was more of “bahala na lang si Lord” plan. The only great thing was Kuya Mon Imperial of Crisan Lodge gave me an idea how my days in Batanes should be spent and possible cost for tours and ordered food.

Crisan Lodge has a grocery store on the first floor. Thus the grocery items on this list means other food, laundry detergent and other thimajings.

To those who have dreamed of flying to Batanes, keep waiting for that seat sale, keep dreaming.

I know, Rinbee happened and had to treat my friends with pizza on my last day because they treated me with pizza, and dinner! And who does have pedicure in Batanes, right? I had too many unnecessary spending. Solo travel doesn’t need to be this expensive, I tell you. 😉

All Basco flights are scheduled early in the morning. PAL departs at 6am while Skyjet Airlines leaves at 5:30am.

I arrived at NAIA T3 at 5am and immediately went to the boarding area so I can rest and watch that week’s Game of Thrones episode. While waiting to board the plane, I thought of informing Kuya Mon (owner of Crisan Lodge) that finally I was on my way to Basco and inquired how could I get to their place. He said that he would be picking me up at the airport. Well, great I thought. I wouldn’t have to worry that I’d get lost.

Shortly after counting sheep and contemplating if my budget will not and never make me hungry, we were called to board to plane. Plane was circling the terminal and my stomach was growling because of hunger, I just decided to doze off. 30 minutes after, I was awakened because it was damn hot… to realize we haven’t left NAIA yet. That was 30 minutes circling the terminal. About 5-7 mins more of what seemed to be like a forever wait (I wanted to kiss the grounds of Basco already, come on!!!), we finally departed.

I was very delighted to see Calayan Island from above because apart from it’s another haven for me; it was an absolute indication that we were close to landing.

The view down Batanes was picturesque. Green, blue, and blue, green everywhere.

Getting off the plane was, well, I don’t think I should say something about this anymore because duhhh. But apart from I was traveling alone, I was traveling alone to Batanes!!! I felt amazzzzing. This was during the time I needed to prove something to myself (that I was very much independent) so it meant so much. I initially planned to visit in 2014 (and save for the airfare ) but ended up buying a cheaper ticket in 2014 and 9 months later flight.

The wait was worth it. Pwedeng pwede na ako magpaka-Heidi on the hills.

PS. The ticket is not that sale, sale. But at P5298 (P450 airline insurance included), I think it was worth it.

32 days from the day I left Manila to the day I left Kuala Lumpur for Manila. It’s been more than a month. I miss traveling. I miss the independence it taught me. The idea of being lost or almost being hit by a pick up van in Vientiane and feared for my life because I didn’t avail travel insurance.

No matter how planned and well-researched everything was, there were just things I wasn’t able to control. Let me tell you what were the most gruesome and wonderful experiences of my solo travel for three weeks from Cambodia – Vietnam – Laos to Thailand. But first, let me organize my thoughts.